Origins: House Khavortorov starte out as a minor Aldori house, but after the battle at the Valley of Fire decided too throw their lot in with Choral the conqueror. The made a name acting as guards and enforcers for house Rogarvia, and were rewarded with the title of Baron. Ironically, the land they now hold is in the same area as land they held under the old Baron Aldori - although it is larger.

Recent History: House Khavortorov have not been on good terms with House Surtova and when House Rogarvia disappeared without a trace a decade ago, House Khavortorov suffered a devastating loss in influence and holdings when Noleski Surtova took control of the Dragonscale Throne. The elderly patriarch, Arkza Khavortorov, passed control of the house to his son Sergei, and the family dug in to weather the storm. Arkza only survived a another year or so. Sasha, Sergei’s son, was just a young man barely on the cusp of adulthood when this happened, and spent the next few years traveling throughout the River Kingdoms preparing for the time when he would lead the family. It would be his job to oversee the family’s recovery.

The New Baron: Sasha spent time in Restov, Mivon, and the Valknar Gladitorial College of Tymon. His travels also brought him to the neighboring country of Numeria where he spent time with the Pathfinders and discovered a sizable piece of skymetal that he used to forge his adamantine dueling sword, Reign Bringer. Sasha returned to his home in New Stetven in the year 4708 AR, based himself in New Stetven became involved in the political scene of Brevoy. Sergei died a couple of years after Sasha’s return and Sasha, as the eldest son, became responsible for the direction of the family fortunes.

The old Baron (on Sasha’s advice) had already started to build alliances - he sent a niece with the Drelev expedition, hoping to gain some influence with Baron Drelev and his main sponsors (The Lebeda and Surtova families) . Lady Parevain Khavortorov had gained her experience leading guard patrols through the Khavortorov estate wilderness – and was more skilled woth a bow and shortsword than she was with a duelling sword - but she is a warrior Khavortorov to the bone. Sasha continued the practice of building alliances and support among his contacts, as he seeks to regain proper recognition for his house. Now he can count Lady Jamani Aldori, Viscount Rogarvia-Green and House Ventus among his local allies, and it is said that he still has contacts in Mivon. The second part of his plan has been to develop his estates. Originally just a central Citadel with a couple of outlying villages, Lord Sasha has consolidated and has started to develop agricultural villages and turn Sway into a small town that will be able to exert influence on the main road between New Stetven and Restov.

House Khavortorov are warriors and mercenaries. The most skillful are trained in the way of the Aldori, but anyone else with a military aptitude receives appropriate training as well. While the cream of Khavortorov forces are Aldori, the house fields mounted knights, swordsmen, scouts and guards as part of their military units too. Their citadel is little more than a large barracks and sword school, and their lands are always well defended.

As at 4719 - Sasha is 36 years old, Paverain is 43, and Radi 19.

The House suffered under the first years of Surtova rule, as the house lost its role as Imperial Enforcers, and was forced to reposition itself to provide mercenaries for hire. Under Baron Sergei, they reduced their holdings in New Stetven, built up their stronghold in Northern Rostland, and started to build new alliances. The White Drakes (based in the Rostland Stronghold) became a true mercenary company, competing with the Aldori houses of Mivon, and the less well-organised mercenary groups of the Restov and Rostland Aldori. Sergei even sent a niece along with the Drelev expedition to try and curry favour with both Surtova and Lebeda, the primary sponsors of Baron Drelev. Under the heir (Sasha) the New Stetven holdings switched to providing protective services for the smaller houses that didn’t have a large military force of their own.

When Sergei died, in a tragic hunting accident (4711) Sasha became Baron and continued the process of building up Citadel, at the expense of his holdings in New Stetven. Slowly the house started to recover, forging new relationships with the Dwarves of Brundeston and the Restov Aldori, while still retaining links with their old allies (House Ventus) from New Steven. When the Almost War happened, Sasha aligned himself with his new allies against King Noeleski – drawing the ire of the king, but gaining new lands and cementing his place in the Eastern Region. While The White Drakes still fight abroad, and his New Stetven troops continue to offer personal protection, Sasha has concentrated his attention on the Citadel and its surround area. His second town, Sway, sits on the main road between New Stetven and Brundeston protected by the troops from The Citadel, and he has started developing agricultural villages in his remaining lands. While he isn’t one of the big players, he is certainly ‘in the game’.

In line with the way they have made the best of situations by finding the best way for the family to survive - the family are very pragmatic in their religious preferences. Pharasma is the most common deity, although both Gorum (for his enthusiasm in battle) and Abadar (for his support of business) are both recognized.

New Stetven - House Khavortorov have 12 mercenary barracks and a manor house in New Stetven. They have reduced their presence in New Stetven, as their role changed from Rogavarian Enforcers to general mercenaries and hired guards.

Citadel - a fortified holding the size of a small town, is at the centre of the holding. It is closed to all except those with who have business with the Lord and members of the house.

Sway - A small town located on the main road between New Steven and Brundeston. Baron Khavortorov, is not really interested in business, and has used the development to build and cement alliances. You will find a DELEM merchant base, a Ventus Magic Shop, The Blue Bull Inn (owned by House Ragoon) and a very good smithy run by Clan Pandoon of Brundeston. There is also a small market, monitored by Khavortorov troops, to facilitate local trade.

Westley - to the Northwest of Citadel, you will find the Khavortorov family graveyard.

The Agricultural Villages - Easen, Stane and Drine are very small agricultural villages, with little more than a watchtower and a farm specializing in grain production.